Plans to create a food court in Carlisle Market Hall have been unanimously approved by councillors this week.
Members of Cumberland Council’s planning committee met at the Civic Centre in Carlisle on Wednesday to consider the proposals, which will see the removal of two central stalls.
It is hoped that the move will help increase footfall and test a potential new use for the building.
The planning application said that the market currently had many vacant units, including the former Wilko store.
It added: “This would be a food and beverage focused proposal, a use which has successful precedents at Liverpool Southport market, Leeds Kirkgate market, Sheffield Cutlers Works, and many others.
“The removal of the clusters of market stalls creates a more open space in which the scale of the arched iron roof above can be more greatly appreciated.
“The perimeter of existing market stalls are well placed to serve the new central seating area. Trees down either side of the intervention and planters at the centre bring greenery to the interior.”
It added that the western end of the space could be cleared of loose furniture and set up with a stage to make a temporary performance space.
The application added: “Congregation within market spaces is also an ongoing and key part of Carlisle’s social and cultural heritage and forms a major part of the city’s shared identity and memories.”
Members were told that the building had previously been used as a music venue. Cllr Roger Dobson (Corby and Hayton, Lib Dems) said he felt that the redevelopment would enhance the appearance of the hall and there was an opportunity to extend the market into the area formerly occupied by the Wilko store.
Cllr John Mallinson (Houghton and Irthington, Conservative) agreed and added: “The market hall hasn’t worked for many, many, years.”
Currently, there are four islands of market stalls within the hall. As part of these proposals, the two central market stalls will be removed, dismantled and stored and the food court will be temporary.
A report by council planning officers said: “The existing two market stalls which are to be removed are not original historic fabric and therefore their removal will have a neutral impact upon the historic significance of the building.”
Carlisle market has existed on its current site, in some form or another, since 1799.
The market has evolved from butcher’s market, extended to provide butter and egg market with fish stalls incorporated into former butcher’s shambles through to present building, completed in 1889, which was a rebuild of existing market on site.
In more recent years the site has continue to expand, taking in additional properties to the south of the Scotch Street entrance to house retail outlet Wilko.
